The ride after the Dieppe Weekend can have a rather sparse turnout, so it was very pleasing that sixteen riders plus leaders had signed up, no one who registered was a DNS and we even had one extra turn up and joined the ride at the start. Pam was one of those signed in, having ridden in France and here again, and is was particularly good to see that Graham Holder had signed on too.
The route was designed not to be too taxing, rather to provide a destination not usually associated with starts from the Leatherhead Centre.
I was in charge of the first group which started at 10.30 am, travelling roughly north east we used Ashtead Common, Horton Lane and the area once referred to as The Ace of Spades to arrive in the Surbiton area. Hampton Court, Walton Bridge, Shepperton and turning right before Chertsey Bridge we followed the river and using familiar roads we arrived at The George in Staines at 12.50 pm, good timing for 22 miles!
After having been fed and refreshed at 14.00 hrs we left the pub, retraced our route as far as Shepperton, then took the way towards Kingston and turned to Hampton. Passing the Hampton Pool we entered Bushy Park there and rode through the wonderful park, ending up at The Pheasantry Café at 15.15. Everyone that came on the ride from the group came to tea and as we were just reflecting on the day, Simon and Pete B turned to join us, a very pleasant surprise.
Many thanks to everyone in the group for making it a great time and especially to Tim G who offered and acted as back marker.
Many thanks to all.
David J
Our second group on the road today consisted of eleven cyclists, (setting off at least) from Leatherhead.
The riders were as follows: Pam Jones, Liz Bernard, Tony Hopkins, Jane Fox, Ian Williamson, Colin Garrod, Julie Buckman, Stephen Hickey, with fixed sub-leader Dave C and our two extra cyclists Diane Porter and Ray Youlden.
Diane was the first to leave our group, having successfully navigated our group through Ashtead Common.
Ray Y was the next rider to leave us, having just hitched onto our group to reach Shepperton.
Ian made it as far as Staines, citing post holiday unfitness.
Our group flowed along well, avoiding any altercations with motorists, also avoiding the numerous pot holes, which the various Councils have left unfilled to keep us alert whilst cycling.
We eventually made it to our sustenance stop at Wetherspoons in Staines, at 1.15pm. The food (and ale) was quite good and served quickly.
Having traversed the Lunar type road surface along Laleham road into Staines, we headed over Staines bridge after lunch and along Chertsey lane into Chertsey, passing by Abbey fields 😊 which brought us back onto our prescribed course. Pam left our group at Ferry Lane leaving seven of us to partake of refreshments in Bushy Park.
Thank you to all the riders who took part, and to Colin who back-marked for us.
Thanks also to the ride designer David J.
Dave Fixie
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